Animals do make great pets, for the right people. If you do your research first and pick the right species or breed that is right for you, realize that they take time money and energy and remember that they are, in fact, sentient beings then you and you and your animal companion will be very happy together. If you are not willing to put the time, money, energy and sometimes sacrifice into getting a highly intelligent sentient animal, then stay the hell away. Get a stuffed animal instead.